Air and sea ports getting back to business
Published:Sunday | July 7, 2024 | 12:06 AMSteven Jackson - Senior Business Reporter
Kingston Wharves Limited, KWL, and Norman Manley International Airport, two of the prime ports that handle cargo, were getting back to normal on Friday, following the passage of Hurricane Beryl.
That said, Kingston Wharves already started facilitating the deliveries of “urgent cargo”, such as oxygen, from Thursday afternoon.
“All is well,” said Mark Williams, CEO of Kingston Wharves, in response to Financial Gleaner requests.
“The harbour master has advised that the harbour will be reopened at 18:00 hours [6:00 pm] for vessel operations. We will reopen to the public at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow for normal operations,” he said regarding the port company’s resumption of business Friday.
Beryl hit Jamaica as a Category 4 hurricane on Wednesday.
Kingston Wharves handles roughly 5,000 tonnes of cargo per day, based on its handling of 144,000 tonnes of cargo in May 2024, the latest data available.
Norman Manley International handled about 20 aircraft a day from January to March, which totalled 1,839 aircraft, according to data from the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority.
Hurricane winds started affecting Jamaica on Wednesday afternoon into the night. The winds removed sections of the roof at Norman Manley airport in Kingston.
“There was no other damage to the terminal building,” said PAC Kingston Airport CEO Sitara English-Byfield in response to Financial Gleaner queries. PAC Kingston manages the airport under a concession contract.
PAC Kingston’s staff assessed the airport facilities on Thursday in preparation for its 5 a.m. reopening on Friday.
Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay reopened Thursday evening while Ian Fleming International Airport in St Mary reopened at 7 a.m. Thursday. Additionally, the aerodromes also reopened on Thursday morning, including Tinson Pen in Kingston, Negril, and Ken Jones in Portland.